Airlines’ merger impact on Albany unclear

The impact of the merger of Delta and Northwest, two airlines serving Albany International Airport, wasn’t immediately clear Wednesday night. For now, the two carriers will continue to operate separately, airport officials said.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Justice Department said it had no objections to the combination, clearing the way for the $2.8 billion acquisition of Northwest by Delta. The combination forms the world’s largest carrier.

“It’s a positive step for both airlines at a time when the airline industry is facing significant challenges,” said John A. O’Donnell, CEO of the Albany County Airport Authority. “We will be meeting with the airlines to determine their needs as they merge and how we can support the merger and facilitate any changes that they may wish to make in terms of reorganizing ticket counters, gates and jet bridges.”

Delta serves Cincinnati, Atlanta and New York’s Kennedy International Airport from Albany, while Northwest flies nonstop to Detroit and Minneapolis. Delta has 21 employees locally at Albany. Northwest has 21 airline and contract employees, according to airport spokesman Doug Myers.